Admissions

Program Menu

Application

Application Opens

July 15, 2024

Application Closes

June 20, 2025

Application System

Apply through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).

Applicants will incur an application fee that is set by and paid to OTCAS.

Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (based on 4.00).

Prerequisite Coursework

Completion of the following courses within the past 5 years with a minimum grade of B. A minimum 3.0 (based on 4.0) GPA in these courses. Courses must be completed by June 1 prior to the start of the program.

Human Anatomy and Physiology (with a laboratory component), 8 credits
- Separate Anatomy and Physiology courses are acceptable.
- The program does not recommend online coursework for this requirement.
Lifespan Human Development, 3 credits
Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology, 3 credits
Statistics, 3 credits

Transcripts

Applicants are required to provide transcripts from all U.S. universities, colleges or other higher education institutions attended.

Admitted students will need to submit official transcripts to the SHRS Admissions Office prior to enrolling in classes.

Experience

Applicants must complete a minimum of 12 hours of volunteer, paid work and/or telehealth experience.

These experiences can occur in one or more occupational therapy practice areas (e.g., children and youth/pediatrics, health and wellness, productive aging/geriatrics, rehabilitation, mental health, work/industry, home care).

Current Pitt Students: View this SharePoint Site for more information about local Pittsburgh shadowing, volunteering and other hands-on opportunities. Pitt Passport required.

Personal Statement

Applicants provide evidence of graduate level writing skills and professional plans through submission of a personal statement via OTCAS.

In the personal statement, applicants should explain why they selected occupational therapy as a career and how this degree relates to their immediate and long-term professional goals. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include how their lived experiences (e.g., personal, professional, etc.) have influenced their interest in pursuing occupational therapy and how their strengths and skills will contribute to their success in the OTD program.

Letters of Recommendation

Submission of three (3) letters of recommendation (evaluations) attesting to the applicant’s academic and professional abilities. Letters of recommendation are submitted through OTCAS.

From an occupational therapist (OTR) involved in the applicant’s experience in occupational therapy hours.
From a college-level instructor who instructed the applicant in one or more courses.
From an individual who can attest to the skills, abilities and professionalism of the applicant.

NOTE: OTCAS does not accept paper recommendations. All recommendations must be submitted electronically via OTCAS.

Technical Standards and Skills

Students admitted to the program must review the Technical Standards and Essential Skills and submit a signed form at the time of matriculation.

Application Review Process

Applications must be e-submitted in OTCAS no later than June 20 to be considered for admission.
Applications are reviewed when all materials, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, have been received and verified by OTCAS.
OTCAS uses a verification process that can take several weeks.
OTCAS will verify your documents before releasing them to the University of Pittsburgh.
Applicants should confirm their status as verified with OTCAS.
The Department of Occupational Therapy begins reviewing complete and verified applications and offering admission in November for the program starting the following August.
1. While cumulative and prerequisite GPAs are important, the applicant’s response to essay questions and letters of recommendation are equally important.
2. Interviews are not part of the application process.

For questions about the receipt, processing and verification of applications, please contact OTCAS Customer Service at 617-612-2860, otcasinfo@otcas.org.

International Student Information

The following requirements are necessary for applicants from outside of the U.S.

For questions about the international student requirements, please reach out to the SHRS Admissions Office.

Academic Credential Evaluations

Students who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States are required to provide an academic credential evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or World Education Services (WES), Inc. with their application.

A course-by-course evaluation with GPA conversion is required.
Evaluations are not required for degrees earned in the United States. If you have attended an English Canadian institution, please contact the SHRS Admissions Office.
Individual SHRS programs may have their own specific Academic Credential Evaluation requirements.

Verification of English Language Proficiency

The University of Pittsburgh accepts the official results of the Duolingo English Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a measure of English language proficiency.

Verification is required unless the following apply:

The applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English.
The applicant has completed a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
The applicant is not a citizen of a country whose official language is English but has completed a degree program at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English.

Minimum Scores by Program

On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 115 | IELTS: 6.5 | TOFEL: 80

Athletic Training (MS)
Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cybersecurity (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)
Occupational Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
Physical Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
Prosthetics and Orthotics (MS)
Sports Science (MS)

On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOFEL: 100

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)
Communication Science and Disorders (Post-Baccalaureate)
Communication Science (PhD)
Dietitian Nutritionist Program (MS)
Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
Rehabilitation Science (PhD)
Speech Language Pathology (MA/MS)

Hybrid and Online Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOFEL: 100

Hybrid
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Master of Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)
Online
- Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy (CScD)
- Advanced Practice Certificate in Implementation of Evidence in Clinical Practice (Certificate)
- Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)
- Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cyber Security (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)

How to Submit Scores

Duolingo English Test: Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to institution code “2927”.

Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Have Questions?

Admissions

Application

Application Opens

Application Closes

Application System

Prerequisites

Transcripts

Experience

Personal Statement

Letters of Recommendation

Technical Standards and Skills

Application Review Process

International Student Information

Academic Credential Evaluations

Verification of English Language Proficiency

How to Submit Scores

Related Programs:

Occupational Therapy, Post-Professional (CScD)

Occupational Therapy, Post-Professional (MS)

Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Have Questions?

Related Programs:

Occupational Therapy, Post-Professional (CScD)

Occupational Therapy, Post-Professional (MS)

Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Get More Information

Get More Information

SHRS RESOURCES:

It's Possible at Pitt